Karst is a type of landscape which forms under a specific combination of geological conditions, precipitation, and temperature (Fleury 2009). It contains caves and extensive underground water systems that develop from especially soluble rocks such as limestone, marble, and gypsum (Ford and Williams 2007). Karst regions have always been characterized by environmental problems such as an impoverished ecosystem, soil degradation and erosion, deterioration of water quality and landform destruction (Urich 2002). Thus, a karst region can be considered among the most vulnerable land systems in the world.
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